Trump, China and Gulf states continue backing Pakistan’s mediation in US-Iran tensions

Pakistan’s mediation efforts in the ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions continue to enjoy the confidence of major global and regional powers despite what were described as attempts by parts of the American media to portray Islamabad as sympathetic to Iran, journalist Kamran Khan said during an episode of “On My Radar.”

Khan said the trust placed in Pakistan’s diplomatic role by key capitals “remains fully intact” and that support for Islamabad’s mediation efforts had been reaffirmed over the past 24 hours.

According to Khan, some U.S. media reports attempted to cast Pakistan as anti-American and supportive of Iran, while questioning its credibility as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.

He said the first public response to those reports came from U.S. President Donald Trump before departing for a visit to China, when he praised Pakistan’s peace efforts.

Responding to a journalist’s question on whether Washington was reconsidering Pakistan’s mediation role, Trump rejected the suggestion, according to Khan.

“Pakistan is doing a very good job,” Trump said, according to remarks cited on the program.

He also praised Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership, saying both the prime minister and the field marshal had played an “excellent role,” Khan said.

Khan said support for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts has also come from China, Qatar and Turkey, while Saudi Arabia and Russia were also standing behind Islamabad’s role in efforts to reduce tensions.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also rejected suggestions that the country’s peace efforts could be undermined by the activities of any particular group.

According to Khan, Dar said Pakistan’s mediation and diplomatic efforts would continue and that Islamabad remained committed to regional peace.

Khan said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with Dar by telephone and urged Pakistan to intensify mediation efforts and help address issues related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

During the conversation, Wang praised Pakistan for helping facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran and for contributing to efforts aimed at advancing a ceasefire, Khan said.

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described Pakistan’s role as “critical” not only for the region but for the wider world, according to the program.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also openly praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts and said Ankara fully supported Islamabad’s diplomatic role, Khan added.

Khan said that while political debate continued in Washington, global and regional powers increasingly viewed Pakistan as an important diplomatic bridge in efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran.